KINDERSLEY — A Kindersley family finds themselves asking for support as well as prayers and good wishes as a six-year-old boy is set to begin treatments following a serious medical diagnosis just under a month ago.
Young Ghio Villenea was healthy as can be when he arrived at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon on Aug. 11, but doctors soon discovered a three-centimetre tumour in the boy’s brain cavity. Surgery was performed two days later to remove the brain tumour, but physicians found fragments that had already started to grow.
Now, Ghio and his family are preparing for treatments involving chemotherapy and radiation therapy that begin on Sept. 10, and the process is expected to take several months.
The diagnosis has been a life-altering change for the family, and as Villenea gets ready to undergo treatment, his family is now reaching out to their community and all of Saskatchewan for help.
A GoFundMe page has been launched by Karen Casino, a family friend, with the intent of helping to cover costs related to daily needs, travel and accommodations, and ongoing medical expenses while Ghio’s family remains in Saskatoon during his treatment periods.
Casino says the family is facing a challenge unlike any other that has been presented.
“This news has turned their world upside down,” Karen wrote on the fundraising page. “The following day Ghio needs to undergo a surgery to drain the fluid in his brain. Now their family is facing more than just fear for his health. Any help, big or small would make a huge difference and bring hope to their journey. More than ever they will need support to cover: daily needs and stability for the family, travel and accommodation while they are at the city, and ongoing medical expenses. We have Ghio and his family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
In addition to the GoFundMe page, e-transfers are also being accepted and can be made to Reyvillanea110386@gmail.com.
As of Sept. 3, the online fundraiser has already raised $5,200, which is 40 per cent of its intended goal of $13,000, with support from more than 50 donors.
Those who are interested in helping the family out can check out the crowdfunding page here.
